Sometimes the expectation of having something is better than the thing itself. In our minds it's more awesome and amazing, but in real life… not so much.

However, this wasn't the case of Oswald's Hogwarts' letter.

He knew that he was going to receive it (maybe not one hundred percent sure, but he was pretty sure that he was going to receive it.)

When Wigzing, the owl of his family, arrived with something that wasn't precisely a mouse, he knew.

After all, Oswald was eleven years old, and they didn't usually receive mail.

Oswald smiled, tracing his fingers across his name, that was written in emerald green ink "Mr. O. Cobblepot" .

He was so happy and so terrified at the same time, was that possible?

He went to the kitchen, jumping and laughing all the way long, to tell his mother the news. She was making antiallergics (he still didn't need them).

His mom stood up to hug him so quickly that it was lucky that the caldron didn't explode.

They promised to celebrate that night.

It was less than a week before he had to go to Hogwarts, but his trunk was already packed. It was carefully made by his mom and him: inside it was everything that Oswald could need.

-You have grown so much, Oswald… I can't believe you're going to Hogwarts-said his mom, with her eyes filled with tears- oh, my little Cobblepot, will you miss your mom?

-Of course I will, mom!-exclaimed Oswald, hugging her tightly- I'll miss you so much, and I'll write you. I'll write you a lot, mom.

She nodded, without releasing him.

-My little man now is ready to start his magic instruction-said his mom with tenderness. She released him a bit, so they could look at each other face to face- do you remember that spell that I taught you? The tongue one?

-Yes, mom-answered Oswald with a giggle.

-Use it if one of those horrible bullies appears.

-I hope I'll not have the need to use it. But fine… I suppose –said Oswald, smiling.

His mom stroked his hair and she smiled him back.

-Wait here for a moment, my dear, I have something else for you.

And then his mother left the room, looking for… whatever she wanted to give him.

He was so excited. He, Oswald Cobblepot, was going to Hogwarts. Finally he could know other wizards like him, people that will understand him; not like that bunch of stupid muggles that he used to have as classmates. Nope. It'd be different: big things were waiting for him from now on.

His mom came back to the room, carrying Winzig with her.

-Oswald, I know you'll fine by your own, you're a strong and smart boy, but still… I want you to be with him, der winzige vogel is part of the family too and…

-But, mom, he is your owl-he protested.

-And now he is yours-said his mom smiling.

The owl just hooted, moving his black feathers.

-Edward!-exclaimed his aunt Lucy, calling him for breakfast.

-The boy is going to go mad when he knows it-said Frank, Lucy's husband, with a little giggle.

She giggled too and then she hid the letter inside of the apron's pocket. She sat down at the table and with a movement of her wand she finished of setting the table.

A few minutes later, Edward went downstairs. He was still wearing his pajamas and his hair was all messy.

-Hey, Eddie. Morning -greeted Ed- did you sleep well?

-Oh… good morning- said Ed- yes… huh… I'm not really used to sleep away from home, but yes, I slept well.

He nodded and turned his gaze to his newspaper. Ed took his place in the table and swiftly glanced at his aunt and uncle.

-You may use me to talk without your mouth, but be patient for others to respond. With little mass I fill the absences, where the heart may find itself grow more fond - said his aunt finally.

-A letter. But what does that have to do with…?

His aunt took the letter out of her pocket and then handed it to him.

-You're an official student, Ed- said aunt Lucy.

-But… I thought that my mother burned all the letters… how?-asked Ed in disbelief.

He has received his letter already, thousands of letters to be honest, but his mother burned each one of them, only keeping his supply list.

-I'll just say that I still have some contacts in Hogwarts-she just said.

-Wow-said he, amazed with his letter, which still was closed- thank you very much, aunt.

"Mr. E. Nygma. I like how it sounds, Eddie. Enigma, it could be our magical name!"

It was nice that she gave him his letter, and Ed really appreciated it, but he didn't understand why they were helping him so much. He didn't want to bother anyone.

And he was more than capable of packing his trunk alone.

"Yes, we even have a system."

-You don't have to do this, aunt. Really- said Edward embarrassed.

She tried to touch his shoulder, but Edward stepped back in a reflex act. His aunt dropped her hand and she frowned a little, after a few minutes of mental struggle she finally smiled at him.

-You know, Ed? When I was a child I never had someone who could explain to me about this world, and by world I mean magical world-said his aunt- I usually packed my trunk on my own, and the same for my school shopping because it was complicated for muggles enter to Diagon Alley.

Ed frowned, confused.

-You…-Ed started to say with doubt in his voice.

-I don't want you to be alone anymore, Ed. And I know you are, perhaps more than I was at your age-said she.

She paused, and looked at him… and he felt somehow…. understood.

-I know what kind of person my sister is-said his aunt-and I also know what kind of person your father is. You should know this already, but…

"Oh, yeah. We know it very well. Right, Eddie?"

-Ed, would you like to live with us? With me and uncle Frank?

"Wow, I didn't see that coming, wow."

Edward was speechless. She was being serious? She was…? He just opened and closed his mouth, like a fish.

-What do you say?

-Yes, I want to live with you-said Ed, with a voice that didn't really sound like his.

They were at the platform nine and three-quarters. Today was the day, but everything just didn't feel… real.

-Well, my dear, it's the moment-said his mother, gently squeezing his shoulder.

-I'll make you proud of me, mom-said Oswald giving her a hug.

-I am and I always will be, my love-said she.

They broke the hug and looked at each other for a moment.

-Don't forget to write me, ok?

His mother had a sad smile on her face; Oswald knew that she was happy for him, but… They have always been together, and now they'll have to be separated for a long time. They wouldn't see each other until Christmas.

-I couldn't forget it-said Oswald-besides, Winzig will want to see you.

She nodded and then gestured him to walk towards the train.

He looked at his mom for one last time and then he turned around, starting to walk towards the train.

-I love you, dear!

Oswald turned around quickly and smiled at his mother.

-I love you too, mom!

He boarded the train; he was really excited about going to Hogwarts, but he was sad too because his mother would be alone at home.

Somehow he managed to raise his trunk and cage into the train.

-Hey, do you need some help?

Before him was a boy, taller than him, but he appeared to be around his age.

-I wouldn't want to bother you, friend-said Oswald politely, but he really would appreciate the help.

-It isn't a problem at all-said the boy smiling at him- I'm James Gordon.

-Pleasure, James. I'm Oswald-said Oswald smiling him back- Oswald Cobblepot.

Edward gulped and looked with doubt at his aunt.

-So… I… you… train-mumbled Edward.

His aunt smiled at him, understanding his nervousness.

-Everything is going to be ok, Ed dear. Here's your ticket-said she, giving it to him- Relax, it's normal to be nervous, but I can assure you that all your classmates must be nervous too. Make the most of the trip and try to make friends.

Ed nodded, making a note of that in his mind.

"We'll be with our people. You wouldn't want to be a freak here too."

-Hey, Jimmy. You brought someone.

Inside the compartment was a boy, he appeared to have around fourteen and fifteen years old, maybe.

-Harvey, this is Oswald-said James- Oswald, this is Harvey.

-Nice to meet you, boy-said Harvey.

-Yeah, nice to meet you too-said Oswald nodding.

Oswald put the cage, where his owl was, in one of the seats, and then he turned around and made as if to grab his trunk, but James stopped him.

-No, no, Oswald, I'll do it-said James.

-Thank you very much, James. I really couldn't carry it myself-said Oswald with a nervous smile, and he sat down in front of Harvey.

-Oh, Jimmy boy, you're such a sweet kid, always helping those who need it most -joked Harvey, batting his eyelashes at James- I'm Harvey Bullock, by the way, fourth year, Gryffindor.

-Oswald Cobblepot, first year, I haven't been selected yet-said Oswald.

James sat down next to him.

-Hey, Jimbo is in first year too-said Harvey.

-Yeah-said James- but I'm sure that I'll be in Gryffindor with you, Harv.

Harvey smiled and tousled Jim's hair.

-Naah, you'll probably be a Hufflepuff, because you're loyal, friendly and made of cotton candy-joked Harvey.

Oswald giggled.

"My mother probably thinks that I'll be a Hufflepuff"

He was so lucky. He was in the train for less than an hour and he already made two friends.

Ed tried to sit in a compartment with people, so he could talk to them and make friends. But each one that he saw was in its maximum capacity. Finally he decided to sit alone.

"If you can't go to them, make them come to you. Smart thinking, Eddie."

-Hey, boy. Do you mind if we sit here? All the other compartments are full.

Edward blinked. In the door was a tall and robust guy, Ed supposed that he was in the last year, and next to him was a girl, her hair was short with her ends painted in red.

-Uhm… yeah-mumbled Ed, a little embarrassed.

"Ok, maybe they aren't people of our age, but, if you don't screw it up it could help us. You know, influence and that stuff."

-Speak, boy. Complete sentences-said the girl, her face reflected how annoyed she was, and her voice was kind of monotone.

-Yes, you can sit here. I don't mind-said Edward, more clearly this time.

-Good-said the girl.

The boy just laughed, and let the girl enter first. Then he managed to put both trunks up in the top of the compartment.

-Well, boy. My name is Butch Gilzean-said Butch, taking his seat next to the girl- and this is Fis-

-Miss Mooney for you-cut the girl.

-Er, ok, well, don't take it personal, kid. Fish is usually like this-said Butch, trying to calm the atmosphere, it didn't work though- we're in sixth year, Slytherin, you?

-My name is Edward Nygma, and I'm in first year-said Ed.

He smiled internally; he talked with security, without any doubt in his voice, so it means that…

-In which house do you think you will be, Nygma?-asked Fish.

-Oh! Well…!-muttered Ed.

"Bravo, Eddie."

-I suppose Ravenclaw-said Ed finally, and frowned a little because of what his other self said.

-Ah, so you're a bookworm, then-said Butch- no offense.

Ed pursed his lips in a straight line.

-And your parents?-asked Fish, she was kind of interrogating him.

-In… my house?

-Fish wants to know if your parents are wizards-Butch explained- always so direct.

-I only want to be sure that we're not wasting our time with a mudb-

-Fish, please-cut Butch, giving her a warning look.

Fish rolled her eyes and folded her arms.

-My parents aren't wizards-said Ed, is that a bad thing? Having muggle parents?

Fish giggled mockingly and looked at Butch like "I told you".

-But my aunt is a witch!-quickly replied Ed.

Butch gave him a contrite look and turned to talk to Fish.

Ed shrank in his seat.

Great, there he was judged because of his magic, and here he was judged because his parents didn't have magic. That wasn't his fault!

And all along the trip they completely ignored Ed.